Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ones back in town, and La Galapaguera is a breeding station for giant San Cristóbal tor-
toises that live there for two years before being released into their natural habitat.
Just 30 minutes north of Banquerizo by boat are two of the Galápagos' main attractions,
Isla Los Lobos
and
Kicker Rock
, or
El León Dormido
, The Sleeping Lion. The former is
an island whose shores are swimming with droves of sea lions and snorkelers and wel-
come to join right in, making for an unforgettable experience. At Kicker Rock, a lava cone
split in two by time, white-tipped reef sharks navigate its channel while schools of ham-
merheads can be seen deeper down. This is one of the archipelago's (and world's) top
diving sites so you don't want to miss it, just make sure you're adequately prepared for the
conditions.
Bartolomé Island
Isla Bartolomé
is an acute volcanic islet located off the coast of San Salvador Island, the
fourth-largest in the archipelago. It's one of the most photographed sites on the Galápagos,
harboring two half-moon bays filled with bright blue waters, joined by a narrow isthmus
of mangroves and backed by the famed Pinnacle Rock, a jagged cliff shaped by erosion
you're likely to recognize from postcards. Needless to say, seeing it in person would be a
'pinnacle' indeed. A staircase leads visitors to this view, which can be reached by cruise
ship or day tours from Puerto Ayora.
